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Jim Hinton: This Music Veteran Is as Vibrant as Ever Written by John Philip Wyllie from December 2008 The San DiegoTroubadour Don't you just love it when a friend turns you on to a talented performer? Such was the case last month when Troubadour publisher Liz Abbott offered me the opportunity to do a feature on veteran singer/songwriter Jim Hinton. While Hinton has been performing in pubs and coffeehouses since the '60s, his November sixth gig at Milano Coffee Co. provided me my initial introduction to his music. That splendid Thursday night guest artist performance as part of Joe Rathburn's ongoing Folkey Monkey series marked my first Hinton show. It won't be my last. In Hinton and Rathburn the audience of about 25 benefited from a combined 80 years of songwriting experience. Selecting the theme of storytelling songs, the pair traded songs and stories back and forth, which showcased their individual songwriting talents. Hinton played several songs from his excellent recent CD, Things I've Always Known. Among the most notable were the reflective "Hippies," "Highway to Taos," and "Suburban Blues," Rathburn countered with a combination of originals and covers. He created one of the evening's high points with his poignant Katrina Trilogy, three recent songs that are among his very finest. I was eager to accept this assignment when I learned that Hinton had a reputation for performing Irish music. I was not disappointed when he trotted out Celtic songs such as "Donegal Danny Was Here" and "The Frog Song" as well as another one with bawdy lyrics whose title I didn't quite catch. His treatment of the traditional Irish songs "Spancil Hill" and "Carrick Fergus" from his aforementioned album further cemented his status as a gifted interpreter of Celtic music. It turns out that performing Celtic music is just one of the many things Jim Hinton does well. Such versatility is a real asset. "What got me started back in the '60s was an overwhelming connectedness that I felt with music," Hinton said in a recent phone interview. "Through all sorts of different career changes and phases, that has never changed. It has always been the most vital thing in my life. Staying interested leads you to persist and it is important to stay true to your feelings." Like many songwriters of the time, he was influenced by '60s icons Bob Dylan and Simon and Garfunkel. He often covered their songs when he wasn't trying out his own early compositions. Another favorite was the Edinburgh-based Incredible String Band. "They were not nearly as well known, but they were a really eclectic group. I liked their songwriting and their poetic style. One of their members, Robin Williamson, ended up moving to California in the '70s. I saw him numerous times and I even ended up opening for him a few times after I got to know him," Hinton said. Around the same time he found himself opening for such well- known acts as Linda Ronstadt, Dave Bromberg, and Leo Kottke. By the mid-'70s Hinton was supporting himself in pubs playing primarily Irish music. "I have always had a sense for Celtic music since I do have some Irish ancestry in my family. I read a book in high school called The Crock of Gold by the Irish writer James Stevens and that really stimulated my interest in all things Irish." Hinton hasn't gotten it out of his system to this day. His next CD, expected to be released within the next few months, will be filled entirely with Celtic music. His shows generally include a few Irish songs in the mix when he performs, but he does so much so well that he hates to fixate completely on any one thing unless the situation calls for it. "I made a living at playing folk music for over 30 years and it was kind of exhausting playing in Irish pubs. It was great in that I was able to feed myself and play great music, but at the same time the work involved was [often late night and] exhausting. Ultimately, when I had a chance to relax a little bit from it and get quiet inside, the basic inspiration returned. Folk music has a quality to it that is both conversational and connecting. It is not all about flash and technique. It is about people talking in a musical way about the important things in their lives." The inspiration that Hinton refers to is evident on Things I've Always Known. Ten of the 12 songs on it are originals and all of them display very solid songwriting skills. His deep soothing voice is somewhat reminiscent of another favorite of mine, Cat Stevens. And something about his songs take me back to the '60s and the acoustic guitar songs of Donovan. "I don't really think that I sound like the people that I admire," Hinton said. "But there were times when I wanted to. I've been steeped in all the American folk influences from the blues to folk ballads and the pop folk music from the Kingston Trio on through Bob Dylan and others. But I have also added to it that Celtic perspective and the kind of storytelling that comes from the Irish ballads." What he has is a style that draws from many sources and one that is uniquely his own. His gentle warmth shines through in the current of optimism running through his songs. "There is always a story unfolding and while it will often take you to some difficult places, it is a journey that we need to make and one that will [eventually] take us to a good place." Hinton has been involved in Rathburn's Folkey Monkey presentations on several occasions, both as a guest artist and as a guest host. He loves the concept. "Presenting music in that sort of way makes every night something special. Not only is there a different guest artist each night, but there is a different theme. You've got something to talk about. The conversation that goes on is sometimes as informative as the music. It is a chance for people to share what is really special to them. I am really happy that Joe has been successful in promoting it and making it work. The array of people that he gets there is just phenomenal." In addition to Milano's, Hinton regularly appears at Spanish Village in Balboa Park. In the past he has frequented Cosmos Coffee Cafe in La Mesa, Camelot Inn in San Marcos, and Twiggs in University Heights. He has gotten away from performing in pubs and focuses now primarily on coffee houses. You will also find him frequently doing benefits. For seven years he served as a choir director at a Presbyterian church. Through it he became involved in performing for the benefit of the AIDS Chaplaincy Fund. One who has always sought out new ways to help, Hinton has also performed at various senior homes over the years and at benefits for kids. Hinton's trip to Ireland last summer inspired him to produce the aforementioned soon to be released CD of Irish music. "We had a wonderful trip to Ireland last summer and I am trying to channel that experience into this CD. I have been working on it in every spare moment and I am looking forward to having it released. I hope to have it out in the next couple of weeks or at least by the start of the new year." While the songs will be largely familiar to fans of Celtic music, Hinton's take on them will be unique. A second CD is in the works as well. "I am always writing, so this one will be more of the same type of songs included on Things I've Always Known. When I write I try to draw upon my own experience. These are songs that talk about the things that I have been through. I take a humorous look at things with some of them." Hinton previewed some of these new songs at Milano's and one of them, "The Rare Old Beatles Times," made a huge impression on this baby boomer. "I think I was in seventh grade when the Beatles first came out and I was in college when they split up. That was such a profound part of my life." Reflecting back over his long and successful career he has a lot of great memories and very few complaints. "So many people look back at our generation and see only the things that were going wrong, but there was a lot going right." (Hinton brings this out in his eloquent song "Hippies.") "I think we have to value our experience in this life and not deny it. We need to embrace these times that we have been through and connect with the people and the experience. Life comes at you fast and age gives you the perspective to look back and see what was of value with the people you met and the experiences that you had. I think my greatest satisfaction is the connections I have made with people. Whenever you feel like you have been able to bring some of the magic that music can do into someone's life and bring them something valuable, it is a huge satisfaction. As for frustrations, there was a lot that I wanted to accomplish that I didn't. I should have made some different decisions at certain points in time, but the frustrations don't amount to much compared to the satisfaction. [Performing and writing music] is a wonderful thing to do with your life." For additional information about upcoming performances and CD release dates please visit: http://www.jimhinton.com/ Photo: Jim Hinton alongside the River Liffey in Dublin In Retrospect 2007 Tonight's guest was Jim Hinton. You know, like I've said before, Jim and I go way back, and we lost touch for many years. only occasionally bumping into each other. But last night I felt like we'd been sharing the stage regularly all these years. It was just so comfortable having Jim there. He is literally one of the sweetest people on the planet, and his music is so unique, so engaging, so well made and worn. It's like a favorite shirt you just feel great whenever you put it on. He did a song of his called Shipwrecked last night that I'd never heard, and it 'wrecked me.' I was blown away by it. He introduced it by first saying that it was inspired by some of Dylan's best story songs. We'll I'm here to tell you it was right up there with them. He did a number of tunes from his new CD, Things I've Always Known, including the title cut, as well as Hippies, Suburban Blues, and Highway to Taos, all of which were excellent. Delving into the theme for the night, 'The Other Great American Songbook,' he gave us some great music by Fred Neil, Bob Dylan, John Sebastian, and The Clancy Brothers. He proved that a great artist will always have a following too. Many of his long-time fans as well as his mom and dad, were there, filling the house. I got to meet his folks and was charmed when his mom started talking about her love of folk music and all the CDs she had, including Bruce Springsteen's latest. Thanks very much to all of you who were there to celebrate this reunion of old friends. Most of all... Thanks Jim! Also from Joe: I think your song Hippies is a masterwork, an epic on the lines of some of Michael Peter Smith's best. Hi Friends, I remember some years ago after my wife Cheri watched me perform, she told me that she saw me as a storyteller. This took me by surprise as I had never thought of my performance in that light. Being an anthropologist, she was cognizant of the role that the storyteller played in different cultures. As I reflected upon her observation, I found myself feeling increasingly comfortable in my role as a performer. Although I am a singer and a musician, the storyteller was a truer fit. It gave me a fresh outlook on my performance. I have found if I focused on telling the story in my songs,the resulting performance was more to my liking. That perspective began to influence my songwriting and led to me a new style of song that has expanded the audience for my original songs. Most songs do tell stories but some much more so than others. After years of singing the folksongs of Ireland, I realized I had become steeped in a deep cultural tradition that had given the western world the concept of “The Bard”-- even before the coming of Shakespeare. I drew on this tradition along with some of my more narrative original songs in the performance with Joe Rathburn. Thanks to all of you who joined us at my favorite local venue--Milano’s. Thanks to Joe for inviting me once more and for some interesting tales and the fine original songs he shared with us all. All the best, Jim |
| From Paul Espinoza, member of the Celtic trio, Golden Bough and Jim's long-time friend About Love Like an Ocean I love it... I was extremely taken with 'Shipwrecked.' What a great song the imagery is so classic. I love the way the melody turns and the flow of the chords. I truly think that it is a one-of-a-kind song. The mark of a memorable song to me is the desire to learn it and sing it. This one's in that league! (Not that there aren't other terrific songs on the album.) I also love the vocal ending to 'Ocean of Divine Love'-- love that harmony stuff. |
| Jim is on YouTube! Thanks to videographer, Richard Pollard, for posting to YouTube several songs he recorded at the Spanish Village in Balboa Park. For all the songs cut and paste this link: Here is the playlist link http://www.youtube.com/my_playlists?p=A8287F0A F15F4D08 Here is a direct link to my new song, "City of Angels" being performed in the series of 15 recorded: Jim Hinton City of Angels YouTube |